Factory fish farming involves growing of fish in cages and net pens in the ocean. These farms are big, dirty, and dangerous. The fish farms are terrible for the environment, as it takes about six pounds of wild fish to produce one pound of factory farmed fish because the farmed fish need high amounts of protein that they can only gain from eating other fish. Taking fish out of the ocean to feed farmed fish can undermine the marine food chain by reducing food sources for wild fish.

When fishing areas are reserved for farming of fish, it affects the livelihood of fishermen because it reduces wild fish populations and the areas they could fish in. When the market is flooded with cheap fish because of mass production, it puts modest fisherman out of business.

Fish that are produced in aquaculture are loaded with antibiotics. This is bad for consumers because drug resistant bacteria develop and can be passed on to humans. Higher levels of cancer are also a possible consequence when factory farming fish because these fish have higher levels of contaminants than wild fish do.

In 2011 a bill was introduced to a congressional committee, HR 574, which would prohibit the authorization of factory fish farms in federal waters. For now the bill is at a standstill waiting to be reported by the committee. Tell Congress that you want to protect our oceans, coastal communities, and our bodies from the damages factory fish farming can do by letting them know you want action to be taken legislatively.

PETITION LETTER

Dear Member of Congress,

I am writing to you because I am concerned that factory farm fishing, also known as aquaculture, is detrimental to our environment, coastal communities, and consumers. It undermines the natural processes of the ocean, is unsustainable, and has creates harmful health problems for people.

Last year, a bill was introduced in Congress to prohibit the authorization of factory fish farms in federal waters, but it remains at a standstill. Please prioritize protecting our oceans, coastal communities and our bodies from the damages factory fish farming by passing HR 574.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Anne Burgess via geograph.org.uk

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